Mortal Antipathy, A

Mortal Antipathy, A, novel by Holmes, published in 1885.

Maurice Kirkwood, son of a wealthy American family, is educated in Europe, and grows to manhood normal except in one respect. He suffers from “a mortal antipathy” to beautiful young women, the result of an experience during his infancy, when his young cousin Laura accidentally dropped him into a thornbush. The shock to his nervous system had a permanent effect and he has always associated young women with pain and terror. Once in Italy, however, a gypsy fortune‐teller told him: “Fair lady cast a spell on thee—Fair lady's hand shall set thee free.” As a young man he returns to America, where he lives in a small New England village as a recluse. During an attack of typhoid, he is tended by Dr. Butts, who learns his story. While he is still ill, Kirkwood's house is burned, and he is saved only by the strength and daring of Euthymia Tower, an athletic enthusiast and student at the local young ladies' school. Kirkwood's antipathy is cured by this new shock, after which he is able to associate beautiful womanhood with salvation. Euthymia helps nurse him to health, and they marry. Kirkwood anxiously watches for evidence of his phobia in their son, but his cousin Laura visits them and the child fearlessly cuddles in her arms.